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Today our friend and guest contributor, Charlene, is sharing her thoughts on a hot topic!

Having just concluded the latest season of Netflix’s Black Mirror -a show which keeps getting better - I couldn’t help pondering what future technology holds for us. If Black Mirror is anything to go by, then we should be very afraid.

The poignant first episode Nosedive gave me an introspective outlook on life, perhaps because of its similarity to our social media landscape today. In it, a woman’s quest for social ascension saw her going through extremes to gain approval. Without revealing any spoilers, the premise of the episode seemed to ask, “Is online social approval really worth it?”

In our current world of vloggers and instagrammers where people share intimate details of their personal life and get lauded for it, could we be heading towards the socially-faux futuristic society depicted in Nosedive?

Not to be viewed from a one-sided angle, social media networks are what you make of them. You could choose to do extreme things for “likes” and comments, or you could stay under the radar and amuse yourself with funny cat videos. When all’s said and done, everybody is entertaining or being entertained in some way. Like a double-edged sword, there are two sides to social networking videos; the dark and the good.

The Dark Side

Vloggers and YouTubers have set a niche of their own; they have gained the ability to connect with viewers on a one-on-one basis and as a result have been chosen by brands to endorse their products.

For many people, media personalities look like they are really “cool” people to hang out with, unfortunately, it’s not always as rosy as it seems.

·Australian wellness vlogger Belle Gibson found internet fame and fortune when she led the whole world to believe she had cured brain cancer using ayuverdic medicine, oxygen therapy and sugar-free diet. She went on to write a book and launch a successful app on her healing regimen, only to reveal in 2015 that she never had the disease. Her loyal followers have felt deceived and there is a chance she might face criminal charges for fraud.

·In 2014, popular beauty and fashion beauty vlogger Zoe Sugg Zoella, was embroiled in a media fiasco when it was revealed she hired author Siobhan Curham, to write her teen novel Girl Online. She eventually had to take a forced break when angry fans lashed out at her for the deception.

·In February, YouTube sensation Sam Pepper was forced to quit social media after a prank that went horribly wrong. In the disturbing video, Sam was seen “kidnapping and murdering” a young man. Though he admitted it was a joke, viewers called for YouTube to delete his account.

I have benefited greatly from vlogs and YouTube instructional videos. YouTube is my go-to place for new product demos, DIY instructions and even the occasional cooking guide. But the obsession for constant approval and viewer hits by some vloggers can make you wonder if we are headed towards a Black Mirror-esque future. I really hope not.

Have you watched Black Mirror? What are your thoughts? Share in the comments below!

I love vacation and travel inspired fashion. There is something liberating
about traveling. It frees you from your everyday life, and allows you to see
things in a new and fresh light. When I go on a vacation, I always take the
chance to buy new outfits – who doesn’t? I always enjoy buying clothes, but
there is something extra special about shopping for a vacation.

The fact that you are going on an adventure,
and be staying somewhere different, where hardly anyone knows you, is great. It
allows you to ignore your preconceptions, and try something different. I love
having the chance to experiment with new looks, but there are a few items that
I would never travel without. Read on to find out what they are.

Sensible shoes

Top of my list is a pair of comfortable
shoes. If you like to explore, this is essential. You will not get far with
aching feet. It is always a good idea to buy your vacation footwear a few weeks before you are due to travel, and break them in.
There is nothing worse than walking to the bar, on your first day, and
discovering you have developed blisters. Going in the sea will help with healing,
but getting sand in them is going to hurt. Not to mention the fact that, sandals
look awful with sticking blisters. I love at least one pair of slip on sandals, two is even better!

A nice dress

Tops and shorts or skirts are great, but
if you are invited out on a date it is always good to have a dress, and some
costume jewellery, to wear. Provided you choose the right type, you can wear it
during the day too. Dresses are a great way to stay cool. A
long one is especially useful if you do not feel like shaving your legs every
day, or are suffering from sunburn. A versatile and light weight dress is a necessity for me!

Something warm

As you can see from this report,
the vast majority of people seek out the sun when they go on vacation. As a
result, most travelers pack for warm weather. This is OK, but sometimes you can be caught
out in the cold by taking this approach. Even in the hottest places, bad weather is always
a possibility, so it is wise to be prepared. Check the weather forecast and see what the temperatures and weather patterns are before you arrive! By packing a lightweight cardigan and
some sort of waterproof jacket, along with a pair of jeans, you can be prepared
for all weathers. Doing so means that you will still be able to walk to the
nightclub, or bar, and not have to spend the night in wet clothes.

Good makeup

If you want to look your best, at all
times, it makes sense to take your makeup with you. Some people can get by with
just some lipstick and mascara. This is OK if you are sure you will not end up
going out on a special night out, but I like to be prepared.

I also like to maintain my regular
skincare routine, with some of my normal products put into smaller containers,
and take them with me. ::Hint:: You need to be careful when doing this because there is
a higher risk of having something leak. You should always put these travel containers into a plastic bag before
putting them in your case just to be extra careful.

Are you going on a vacation before Summer ends? My last piece of advice would be to pack light! You can always purchase something you left out on your trip! Also, save some extra room for shopping!

Thanks to WETSTYLE for sponsoring today's post and for sharing in my love for design.

In a home with only 1 bathroom you can imagine how much it gets used on a regular basis. It's a must that this area of our home stays clean and organized. Today I'm sharing a few tips on how to keep your bathroom looking the best it can all while adding a little style to your space. I've partnered with WETSTYLE, a design forward company providing eco-friendly and beautiful solutions to our ugly bathrooms.

1. Go through drawers, cabinets and under the sink areas and throw out/pass on things you're not using or that have reached their expiration date. Makeup included!

2. Purchase some small vanity baskets or containers to put back into your drawers for grouping like items. Think grouping toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, etc. all together. Have a place for everything and when you're done using it, put it back into it's place!

3. Keep surface spaces clean! If you have extra clutter, put it away. Cotton swabs and cotton balls in a canister on the counter is OK, but random items you do not use on a daily basis are not OK. Think less is more!

hello!

About me

A recovering coffee addict living in the southwest sharing slices of style with the world. You may see adventures, beauty, décor, design, fashion, or anything fun that sparks my interest. The goal here is to inspire you in one way or another or put a smile on your face. Thank you for visiting, I adore you.